This article was first published on LinkedIn in February 2020
Seasoned sound professionals probably don’t need much help finding a job. But for those with less experience, some advice can go a long way.
How it all starts
If you’re looking for a job in audio for video games, it’s probably because you love sound—and you love games. You likely spend a lot of time designing sounds, composing music, reading audio-related articles, or watching tutorials on YouTube. Maybe you even have some programming skills.
You may have spent years in classrooms studying sound design or music composition. Maybe your parents were concerned about your career path, wondering if you’d be able to make a living in such a competitive field.
Be confident. In my experience, if you love working with sound, you’ll practice consistently and aim to improve. Over time, you’ll get good at it—and that’s what will help you land your first job.
Learning
School isn’t the only path to success: I know excellent musicians who never had formal training. Still, a good education definitely helps.
Some of the best sound designers I’ve met graduated from sound design programs. Orchestral music composers often hold university degrees in music composition. While formal education can sometimes feel restrictive, in most cases the benefits far outweigh the downsides.
A diploma alone won’t get you a job in the game industry, but it can open doors—especially if you ever want to teach.
Mindset
As in any field, knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential. When you succeed, give yourself some credit—but stay humble. When things don’t go as planned, take responsibility and focus on how to improve. Don’t beat yourself up: it’s pointless. We’re only human—we all make mistakes.
If you don’t get a job offer right away, be patient. Learn from the experience, figure out what could be improved, and keep moving forward.
This industry can challenge your self-confidence. At times, your insecurities may creep in. Stay positive, and always treat others kindly. Some companies ask their employees if they know candidates during the hiring process—you don’t want your name associated with a bad attitude.
Sound Design or Music?
There are more sound design positions than music composition ones. As a result, some musicians consider applying for sound design roles. That’s not always a great idea.
Being a great musician doesn’t automatically make you a good sound designer. Sound design requires specific skills and a lot of dedicated practice.
Smaller companies may look for people who can handle both music and sound design. Larger studios, however, tend to prefer specialists.
If you’re a musician interested in sound design, make sure it’s something you truly enjoy—and that you’ve developed the necessary skills.
Portfolio
Unless you’re already an experienced and recognized audio professional, you’ll need a portfolio. Most hiring managers won’t consider a candidate if they can’t hear examples of their work.
A demo reel on YouTube is good; a personal website is even better.
Don’t be sloppy—your portfolio is your calling card. It should look and sound polished and professional. Poor sound quality or weak mixes won’t cut it.
If you have a website, make sure it’s clean, well-structured, easy to navigate, and fully functional.
Only showcase your best work. Student projects might not be strong enough in a professional context.
Diversity is a plus. Show that you can handle different styles and techniques—your music reel might include epic, jazz, or casual game sections, for example.
For sound design demos, avoid including music. If you work in both music and sound design, make sure your website has clearly separated sections for each. This makes it easier for hiring managers to evaluate your skills.
Networking
It definitely helps to know people in the industry. That said, be respectful when reaching out—especially through email or LinkedIn.
Hiring managers are often busy and receive dozens of messages every week. Don’t take it personally if you don’t get a response.
Applying for a job
When applying online, make sure your profile title matches the job posting. If a recruiter is looking for a sound designer, they’re unlikely to click on a profile that says “sales representative” or “truck driver.”
Even if you don’t meet every requirement, I still encourage you to apply. A strong portfolio might catch a hiring manager’s eye — or he might see great potential in you, even if you don’t have much experience.
Make sure your résumé is clean, well-structured, and easy to read. Include links to your website, portfolio, and demo reel.
Some companies don’t require a cover letter, believing your work should speak for itself. But if you write one, keep it short and relevant.
The hiring process
If your application catches their attention, recruiters or hiring managers will usually schedule a call to discuss your motivation and salary expectations.
You might receive a test. If the instructions are unclear, it might be an oversight—or a way to evaluate how you handle ambiguity. These tests are designed to see how you’d perform in real-world situations. Anticipating problems and showing initiative can set you apart.
The interview
If you’re invited to an interview, it means your experience and skills meet the technical requirements. Now they want to know who you are: how you communicate, and whether you’ll fit in with the team.
Do your research beforehand. Learn about the company, play some of their games, and take notes. Prepare a few questions.
You’ll probably be asked some tough ones, like: “Tell me about a challenging moment in your career, and how you overcame it.” You can find tips online for how to answer, but always stay honest. Don’t just say what you think they want to hear.
When given the chance to ask questions, choose ones that show you’re genuinely interested and that you understand the responsibilities of the role.
The interview is also your chance to evaluate the company. Are the interviewers respectful and friendly? Do you feel a connection? What’s their approach to crunch time or work-life balance?
If everything goes well—and with a little luck—you’ll soon get an offer. Congratulations!
Game Audio Insights 